“How dare you hit me!” Johnson roared; his face twisted with fury.
“You filthy rat! You dare challenge me?” His voice boomed across the poolside, dripping with disdain.
The crowd, previously in shock, quickly rallied behind him, their support adding to Johnson's inflated ego.
“Look at this cockroach!” Johnson sneered, pacing around Max like a predator sizing up his prey.
“You think you can fight me? You’ve been scurrying in the dirt your whole life!”
Laughter erupted from the crowd. “He’s about to get squashed!” someone shouted.
“Yeah, show him who’s boss, Johnson!” another chimed in.
Johnson flexed his arms dramatically, turning to the crowd.
“This rat thinks he’s a lion now, huh?” he spat, pointing at Max. “But all I see is a mangy stray dog, begging for scraps!”
The crowd whooped and hollered, eagerly anticipating the fight.
“You’re nothing but a street mutt,” Johnson continued, his voice brimming with arrogance.
“I’ve trained with the best, and you? You’ve been running from garbage collectors your whole life!”
Max stepped forward, his gaze steady, though his heart raced.
“You talk too much,” he muttered, squaring his shoulders. “Let’s just get this over with.”
Johnson let out a derisive laugh. “Oh, look! The rat has teeth! Too bad they’re about to get kicked in.”
The spectators roared in approval. Bets were being placed, confidence overwhelmingly favoring Johnson.
“I bet he gets flattened in the first round!” a voice in the crowd yelled. “Max is just a scrawny alley cat in a lion’s den.”
Max clenched his fists, his adrenaline spiking. He wasn’t a stray, and he wasn’t about to roll over.
“Come on then!” Johnson bellowed, charging at him like a bull.
He swung wide, confident of an easy hit, but Max sidestepped swiftly, the larger boy stumbling forward.
“He dodged!” someone gasped from the sidelines.
Johnson spun around, furious. “Just like a rat! Always running!” he spat, lunging again.
This time, Max was ready.
He ducked and delivered a sharp jab to Johnson’s ribs. The taller boy gasped, doubling over slightly.
“He’s fighting back!” another spectator exclaimed, their tone switching from amusement to disbelief.
“Must be rat instincts kicking in!”
Johnson wheezed, straightening up, but his swagger was faltering.
Max pressed on, delivering a solid punch to Johnson’s jaw.
The crowd fell into stunned silence as Johnson staggered, his feet unsteady.
“Did... did the rat just knock him down?” someone whispered, the disbelief tangible.
Johnson hit the ground with a thud, his once-proud face now a mask of shock.
Max stood over him, breathing heavily, locking eyes with his fallen opponent.
For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. Then, the silence was broken.
“Max won?” someone shouted. “No way!”
“I can’t believe it! The street dog took down the lion!”
Before Max could fully process the victory, Amanda stormed forward, her eyes blazing.
In her hand, a glass bottle glinted menacingly.
“Get off him!” she screeched, smashing the bottle against Max’s head.
The world blurred.
Pain exploded in his skull as Max staggered backward, disoriented.
Johnson, having recovered slightly, sneered as he scrambled to his feet.
“Now, we finish this, rat.”
He gestured to his friends, who moved forward, their faces twisted in cruel delight. “Let’s teach this stray a lesson.”
They grabbed Max, dragging him toward the pool.
The crowd, now fully back on Johnson’s side, roared with laughter.
“Look at him squirm!” someone jeered. “Like a fish out of water.”
“More like a rat in a trap,” another shouted as they lifted Max and threw him into the pool.
The cold water shocked his system as Max hit the surface.
He surfaced, gasping for air, drenched and humiliated.
Laughter rang out from all sides.
“There’s your hero!” Johnson mocked, standing by the pool’s edge.
“Drowning like the rat he is.”
Amanda crossed her arms, a sneer playing on her lips.
“You should’ve known better, Max. You’re just a stray dog.”
“Amanda,” Max choked, swimming to the edge.
“He’s not what you think. He’s... he’s using you.”
“Oh, please,” she rolled her eyes. “You’re pathetic. Always whining, always causing problems. Grow up, Max.”
Johnson walked up to her, smirking. “Come on, babe. This loser isn’t worth your time.”
With that, he pulled Amanda into a deep kiss, making sure Max saw every second.
“See this?” Johnson called out, grinning at Max over Amanda’s shoulder. “She’s mine now, rat. You can’t compete with a king.”
The crowd was still mocking him. “Guess the rat can’t swim either,” someone laughed.
Peter squeezed out of the crowd and helped pull Max out of the pool.
Max stood dripping, his chest heaving, his eyes locked on Johnson.
Without a word, he charged.
Johnson barely had time to step back before Max’s fist swung toward his face, but two lackeys intercepted him.
One grabbed Max’s arm, twisting it hard, while the other shoved him against the wall.
"Calm down, rat," one thug growled, pressing his forearm against Max’s throat.
Max managed to duck, but he was too hurt tokeep his balance."Hey! Leave him alone!" Peteryelled.The party was chaos now. People wereshouting and pushing to see the fight. In the corner, Max's friend Peter was onhis phone."Police? Yes, there's a fight..."Peter said quickly.Just when things looked bad for Max, policesirens wailed outside. Blue lights flashed through the windows."Everyone freezes!" Policeofficers rushed in.Later at the police station, Max sat in acold chair. His head was clearing up, but he was worried. The police took hisname and fingerprints, then left him waiting.The police stared at him with wide eyes andran off like he saw a ghost.Max looked around, expecting someone tocome question him soon.” How long we need to wait here?”But after the officers took hisfingerprints and noted down his name, no one came back.Suddenly, a new man walked in. He wore aplain black suit that probably cost more than Max's car.Everyone in the room seemed to back away
The black sedan rolled to a halt before a gilded gate, its towering iron bars adorned with the elegant "Montgomery" crest.Max leaned against the window, his breath fogging the glass as he took in the grandeur.“Is this it?” he asked, his voice low, almost reverent.Harrison, the ever-composed butler, nodded.“Indeed, sir. This is Montgomery Estate.”A security guard approached.Harrison handed over a thick envelope without hesitation.Max fidgeted as the guard scanned the documents.After a tense moment, the gates opened with a groan, revealing a sprawling estate bathed in sunlight.As the car eased forward, Max’s jaw dropped.A central fountain sparkled like diamonds, surrounded by gardens so manicured they seemed unreal.Marble statues peeked out from hedgerows, their lifelike gazes following the car.“It looked like a giant museum.” Max muttered.“You haven’t seen the inside yet.”Harrison said with a small smile as the car stopped at the mansion’s grand steps.Max hesitated befor
Max sat across from Richard in the grand study, trying to process the magnitude of what he’d just learned.“So... I’m really a Montgomery?” he asked, his voice tinged with awe.Richard smiled, rising from his chair.“There’s no doubt about it.”He walked to a shelf, pressed a hidden latch, and revealed a secret room.Max followed him inside, his breath catching as he took in the sight: walls lined with ledgers, monitors displaying company logos, and a central table stacked with documents.“These are our holdings,” Richard explained, gesturing to the displays.“GlobalTech Industries, Royal Crown Hotels, StreamLife, and many more.”Max’s eyes widened as recognition dawned.“Wait—these are some of the biggest names in the world. We own them?”“Correct,” Richard said with a hint of pride.“Our wealth spans continents. The Montgomery family controls assets worth trillions. And now, so will you.”Max’s head spun.Just that morning, he’d been worried about rent.Now he was being handed contr
As Max woke up, he stretched with a grin, feeling lighter than he had in years. “No budgeting, no calculating shifts…” he murmured, staring at the ceiling. “So this is what freedom feels like.”He sat up, glancing at his worn-out sneakers by the door and laughing. “Well, guess it’s time to treat myself. No cafeteria lines today—let’s go somewhere extravagant. Somewhere… off-limits,” he whispered with a smirk.As he dressed, a thought crept in. “Any restaurant, any meal, no more checking prices.” He shook his head, still marveling. He decided against the cafeteria and dressed up, calling for a taxi to take him somewhere he’d always dreamed of going. “Brightwood shopping center, please,” he told the driver, a hint of excitement in his voice.The driver glanced at him through the mirror. “Big place. Got some fancy plans for the day?”“You could say that,” Max replied, smirking to himself. “I’m thinking of treating myself to the best lunch they’ve got.”The cab pulled up to the towe
As the guard continued berating Max at the entrance, Emily Rose stepped forward, her voice calm but commanding. “Is there some reason for this commotion?”The guard immediately straightened, recognition dawning on his face. “Ms. Rose! Oh, my apologies! I… I didn’t know you were here,” he stammered, trying to regain composure and plastering a fake smile on his face. “It’s an honor to see you.”Emily looked past him, her gaze focused on Max. “And why, exactly, are you stopping this gentleman from entering?”The guard hesitated, the confident sneer fading from his face. “Uh, well… you see, Ms. Rose… this guy here, he looks like some… well, he looks like he doesn’t belong here. I thought he was, you know, just some beggar trying to cause trouble.”Max clenched his fists, struggling to hold back his frustration, but Emily’s sharp glare at the guard silenced him.“Some beggar?” she repeated coldly, raising an eyebrow. “Did you even ask who he was before jumping to conclusions?”The gu
Amanda held up the luxury handbag, twirling it with a radiant smile.“Johnson, isn’t it stunning? This bag would be perfect for me! You wouldn’t want me to leave without it, would you?”Johnson laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.“Amanda, didn’t I… just get you that luxury car last week? Maybe we could take it easy for a bit?”She pouted, her eyes widening in exaggerated disappointment.“Oh, Johnson, it’s just one little handbag. Imagine how perfect it would look with my wardrobe. Plus, everyone would know I’m spoiled by you. Don’t you want that?”Johnson hesitated, glancing at the price tag.This would go over my budget, he thought. If he gave in, he’d risk his dad’s wrath for overspending again.“Well…” He stalled, trying to think of a way out.“I mean, it’s… beautiful, but maybe we could find something similar, but, you know… less?”Amanda’s eyes narrowed slightly.“Less? Johnson, it’s not about the price; it’s about showing that you care. Are you telling me you can’t
Amanda joined in, rolling her eyes. “It’s probably a piece of plastic from a toy store. Come on, Max. You’re really out here trying to fool people?”The other shoppers had started to take notice, their whispers creating a soft buzz of judgment in the air. Max stood quietly, the black card held loosely between his fingers."Max," Emily whispered urgently beside him, "you don't have to do this. Let me—"Johnson cut her off with an exaggerated gasp. "Emily, dear, don't tell me you actually believe this circus act? Look at him! He probably colored a regular card with a Sharpie!""The craftsmanship is quite poor, if you ask me," Amanda chimed in, examining her reflection in a nearby mirror. "You can practically see the marker strokes."Emily's face flushed as she reached for her purse. "I can handle this," she said quietly to Max. "There's no need to—""To embarrass himself further?" Johnson interjected, slapping his knee. "Oh no, please let him continue! This is better than dinner theater
The machine beeped loudly, and the dreaded word flashed across the screen in unforgiving red: DECLINED.Max felt the weight of that single word hit him, his confidence momentarily shaken.He frowned, glancing down at his black card, disbelief flickering across his face.From behind him, a loud, exaggerated laugh echoed through the store. Amanda stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with a cruel amusement.“Oh, look at Mr. High Roller. Can’t even afford a little shopping spree? Poor Max!”Johnson chimed in, crossing his arms and smirking.“Guess it’s true what they say, huh? All bark, no bite. Or should I say, all card, no cash?”Bystanders, intrigued by the commotion, paused in their own shopping to watch the scene unfold.Their whispers grew louder, blending with Amanda and Johnson’s taunts.“Isn’t that the guy who’s always bragging about his car?” one bystander murmured.“Yeah, what a fake,” someone else agreed. “Probably rented the suit, too.”Max tried to ignore the whispers and forc